Chapter 2)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys or the music or places I reference in the story.

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~Weeks later~

"….could I drive?" suddenly everything was quiet. I sent a strange look to the guys since silence is completely out of their nature. What did I say?

Finally David cracked the widest grin. "That's a good one, kid"

The others began to chuckle.

I crossed my arms "Is it so strange for a girl to drive a motorcycle?"

"It's not that, it's that no one drives my bike but me" he declared.

Boys and their toys. I looked to the other's faces and their grins said they felt the same about theirs.

"A guy's ride is just very personal" Dwayne explained. I rolled my eyes, relenting and hopping on behind David. We locked eyes as I did so and I was able to convey a message just to him about what he'd said.

We both know that's not true.

We revved out of the cave, going aerial on a few lifts and dives before hitting the sand. You let me once before. I learned from the best... He ignored this but I nearly grinned.

After causing a sand storm for the people still on the beach, we pulled up to the boardwalk. I'd finally found a comfortable routine on how I could be around crowds. Today I had opted for a black sundress with a cropped denim jacket and sandals.

I was on my own for a while so after helping myself to a funnel cake, I decided getting on some of the rides would be fun. I don't have the full ability of mesmerism, but I didn't mind waiting in line. Passing the pendulum pirate ship, the Wave Jammer, and the Fireball; those motions would make me upchuck without a doubt, I chose the widely known Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.

It was pretty packed tonight. With the school year coming to a close, more people were going on vacation, which means more tourism, and of course… new blood. I was almost to the front. It didn't bother me that I was likely the only person in line without a family or group of friends, but I'd likely have to sit with a stranger.

A few rowdy people were just in front of me and I didn't pay them any mind until a roughhoused guy stumbled into me, spilling a little soda.

"Watch it" I glared while he laughed in a buzz.

"Cool it you guys" one of the girls stepped up and I knew who she was. She seemed to recognize me too.

"Hey" her group went back to chatting "I know you. I saw you at the video store a while back"

I nodded, tossing the plate of my funnel cake away. "…Marina, right?"

"Yeah" she held her hand out "and you?"

I went ahead and shook it "Scarlet"

"Nice to meet you. You not with the guys?" she noted.

"Nope. They're out painting the town red" If she catches my drift "Your friends.." I nodded towards her group.

She shrugged with a chuckle "Tonight is my night off and Molly, my roommate, had us join some people she met at the bar."

It was then that line moved up to have us all file onto the ride. As I looked for an open seat, Marina waved "Hey we're an odd number, want to ride here?" she offered.

Accepting the friendly gesture, I sat with a smile.

"Get ready!" Her friend Molly turned to us as we moved forward and on up the rise.

I cringed "Some of these guys are almost wasted. We better not get pelted with their vomit" she laughed right as we were at the peak. Just as we were dropping, everyone's hands went into the air and our shrieks began. The dropping feeling took over my stomach before we were lifted again, swiftly turned up high to dive back into another drop. I loved the feeling of the wind through the waves in my hair. I was familiar with this height of the night sky. I'm not very good at it, but flight is within my ability.

I called it.

As soon as the ride finished, some guys with Marina's group hurled. I might have just made my first kill tonight if that had gotten on me. Her group went their own way as I did with mine. Riding the Sea Swings and a smoothie later, I walked down another line of carnival games, playing for prizes. Up ahead, I spotted a familiar set of bikes. How's their night going so far?

Once I got closer through the crowd, I saw they were a little preoccupied. Just as expected, they've found themselves a new wave of beach girls. They don't always kill on the spot just for the heck of it every night, but it's always up in the air on which person will live the longest or who's a lucky left over. This probably means I have a little more time out here, before I could walk away though I noticed the girl that currently stood before David. Her black netted top fully shows her lime green bikini and her ass is hanging out of her booty shorts, her blonde perm all over the place, and the way she leans forward makes me wanna gag. There's a huge difference between sexy and slutty. I almost hope this one doesn't survive the night. She's hardly his type.

My eyes then widened to see him let her on the back of his bike. The guys offer girls rides all the time but with David, it's rare. Argh, forget it..!

I felt a strange sensation over my eyes and immediately knew something was wrong. Panicking, I turned away, letting some of my hair drape over my face. Shit! My eyes are glowing, I just know it. Anyone sees me, they'll freak. Anger can be mixed in with hunger. Leaning my hands on a secluded rail, I let my head look down while I took deep breaths.

"Scarlet?" I heard a familiar feminine voice walk up. Damn it…

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Noticing the strawberry blonde a little out of it, she decided to stop for a moment while her group walked ahead. "Did one of the ride's get to you?" Marina chuckled.

"I'm fine" she quipped.

"Do you wanna sit down? I've got some wat.." before she could finish offering… "I'm fine!" she snapped, startling her. Her head sank slightly, while her hands remained on the wooden rail.

"No you're not" she persisted. A few long moments of silence later, Marina thought of backing off when she heard a very soft growl from the girl. If she wasn't sick, was she upset? Looking up ahead of Scarlet, Marina caught sight of what it might just be that is troubling her.

A frown overcame her "Oh you're kidding me" crossing her arms, she spotted the boys, David in particular. They may not be together but when there's something there, any girl would be upset about this sight. Unbeknownst to Marina, Scarlet was primarily focused on getting her eyes back to normal. Finally feeling the sensation disappear, she straightened herself up slightly; this just as the boys drove off with what was likely their next course.

"What an idiot" Marina consoled. Scarlet was composed but still feeling the hunger so she walked away without a word. Looking back to the guys swerve onto the main road, she spotted the only one whose name she knew. There were so many rumors circulating the boardwalk about these guys, not just a bad rep from Max. Several vile and twisted, she didn't know what to believe. Even so, it was pretty disheartening to see Dwayne with someone on the back of his bike…

Was that his girlfriend?

Oh well… she sighed but then still sought out to see that Scarlet was okay.

She had moved ahead into one of the empty alleys of the boardwalk, resting her back against the wooden wall. Spotting her, Marina followed suit and placed a hand to her shoulder.

"Hey, you are far prettier than that girl" Argh, that isn't the reason she was disturbed. This girl really shouldn't be near her when she's like this. She rested her head on her knees.

"Come on, you can't let this get to you" she soothed, before she snapped her head up.

"Look I want to be left alone, okay" she didn't care about being rude anymore. They set her off and now it's still rumbling with her hunger. Taking a hint, Marina decided maybe she should go. Just as she faced away, her mind swirled with her own memories. She was kinda worried for Scarlet.

"Look, don't ever let a guy, or girls like that, get you down" she called. Scarlet finally snapped up, her gums widening with the appearance of fangs. Her eyes a red and yellow blaze.

She won't save her own skin? Fine! She can't hold it anymore! She doesn't care how friendly she's been, or that she's one of Max's employees. Scarlet is just insanely hungry right now! Completely blinded by it, she's going make Marina her first kill as a vampire! She just doesn't care anymore!

She couldn't see any of this turmoil and lingering danger with her back still turned, but Scarlet approached her ominously, with a feral quality to her expression.

"But these things make you stronger…" she went on. Scarlet drew her new fangs. Marina had her dark hair in a ponytail, leaving her delicate neck fully exposed. That major artery..!

"I know what it's like to feel alone…" Her mouth paused before it could take a dive.

"I know what it's like to have someone you care about change or kick you while you're down…" She then felt frozen, almost unaware of herself but her fangs slowly retracted.

"Huh?" she growled out.

"Let's just say my previous occupation had me in a shady life style. I came across a bunch of guys that never took me seriously with it, no one to rely on. So I decided I'd start a new, even if the only one I can depend on is me." Scarlet's eyes finally turned back to normal. Something in her subconscious must have strung with what Marina was telling her. How else would her new vampire nature have been calmed?

They don't know each other, but her story kind of sounds like when she decided she would start a new with the lost boys. The big thing is they weren't going to coddle her like she was still the kid that David saved all those years ago. She was supposed to dive and she'd either sink or swim as a vampire. Like Marina, there are some things you have to depend on just yourself for. In fact, as a human what she cared for most was herself.

It's what David did for himself, and now to look over his brother's as coven leader.

It was then that Marina turned back around with a smile. "We may not really know each other, but from what I can tell you're a tough girl. Don't let something like this get you down. "

Scarlet crossed her arms, somewhat looking to the ground. If anything, she should feel sorry for those girls. "I guess I was just feeling a little sensitive" She explained, almost cracking a smile. Especially since earlier she remembered what his motorcycle symbolizes to him. "They're always up to that kind of stuff, actually. It gets tiring"

"Sounds like you know them pretty well" Marina shrugged "You may not know what you are to them, but it definitely sounds like you're their friend"

"Well I can't exactly share secrets, borrow clothes and drink cosmos with them" I can hardly speak openly with David now, much less the other guys.

"Well we could fix that." An exciting plan came to mind for Marina. Scarlet arched a brow. "Come out with us this Friday"

.

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Friday after dusk...

I took a final sip of the wine bottle before looking myself over. My hair reached down my back in smooth spirals for tonight. I went with a flowy red cross-back tank, a black lace jacket, skinny-leg pants, and heeled boots.

"What's the occasion?" I thought the others were still sleeping. Spinning around, David was the first to wake up. He was eyeing my outfit. And here I thought boys didn't notice these things.

"I just felt like getting dressed up tonight" I shrugged, adding a touch of gloss. My makeup kept very simple.

"Oh really… No big plans?"

"Why all the questions?" I spun back around with a falsely sweet smile. He stared back giving me a calculating look but I only smiled. I was getting better and better at maintaining a clear head. Slowly stepping forward, I adjusted his collar before giving his shoulder a pat.

"I'm a girl, that's just how we are sometimes" especially if I'm not waiting around on them tonight.

"Women…" Paul noted, crawling out from the inner sleep chamber. Marko was stretching his arms with a yawn. As soon as all of them were fully awake, we set out for the night.

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(~Start playing Cherry Pie by Warrant)

"Hey it says its open mic tonight" Marina noticed the sign "Would you get up there?"

"I don't sing but you can always see me on the dance floor" we laughed, bobbing our heads to the music we heard overhead. The bar had patio seating right on the beach; the boardwalk was only a few steps away. I'd rather the guys not see who I'm with because anyone who catches their attention for too long gets bumped up to the night's special on the menu. I don't need a repeat of that…

Strutting up to the counter, we both got head turns from the other patrons while we sat up at the bar stools. A few hey's and hi's sounded but we ignored them. Marina's black hair was in curls like mine, but added more volume and it reached below her shoulders. She chose a white halter with a frayed denim skirt, a matching vest and ankle boots.

"Hey Molly, this is my new friend Scarlet"

"Nice to meetcha!" The ash brown brunette behind the counter smiled with a loud laugh, probably having a drink of her own.

"Alright girls, you guys need shots. First round on the house" She filled three shot glasses.

"Cheers ladies" I toasted. We cheered and chugged them down. It's stinging strong but I've learned to hold my liquor very recently.

"What are you girls up to tonight?"

"Chill here, listen to music" she shrugged. The night was off to a good start.

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They shared a little bit more about themselves, of course, not going into many certain details about Scarlet. After that shot, they stuck to their own drink and carried them over to the dance floor. It wasn't too full since it's still only about 10:30 but it was a good crowd, and Scarlet was loving the music they had. After a while, another girl Marina was familiar with, Kelsey, joined in, as did Molly while taking drinks to tables. Taking off her jacket was probably a mistake though, because then came some assholes trying to dance up behind them. Immediately feeling peeved, they pulled away to walk back to their seats.

The creep behind Marina looked disappointed but it looks like the one who set his eyes on Scarlet couldn't take a hint. While Marina took a restroom break, he made another move.

"You're quite the dancer, sweetheart. Can I get you a drink?" he offered, sitting beside her. His wing-man at his side.

"No thanks, I've got mine" she signaled.

"Come on, you could use a refill" he offered.

Thinking it over, she smirked "Fine"

He smiled feeling encouraged, but as soon as it was served, she took it and turned. "Thanks for the booze, ta ta" his grin fell. "Hey where you going? Let's talk" he walked after her.

Sharply turning back "You insisted on getting me a drink, so thank you. But there's no written rule that I have to repay you in any way" she declared.

"Come on, don't be like that. I'm Drew. Tell me your name" he persisted, trying to keep his cool.

"Look I'm taken, okay" Well not really, but it's the most definitive thing she could say for a guy to back off. Disinterest doesn't cut it. When Marina rejoined her "Come on, let's head out to the patio" she suggested in order to get away.

His wing-man had been staring Scarlet down when he finally spoke up "Hey I've seen you before. You're that chick that runs with those scumbag bikers" he declared.

"Oh my gosh, really?" Molly and Kelsey were walking closer and heard.

Eyes wide, Kelsey looked stunned. Molly, however, gushed giving her a light elbow. "Those boys are fiiine…" she whispered.

"Which one you screwing?" Drew's wing-man called.

"Watch it" she warns...

"Maybe all of them" Her heightened sense allowed her to hear their friends joke.

"Get lost" Marina hisses, and they step outside onto the patio.

Urgh, finally. It was a relief to be away from those jerk offs. It felt really nice outside and you could see the beach from here. The patio is where the open mic was taking place and great music was playing. The atmosphere and patrons were much more leaned back out here, as they listened to the next person on the mini stage. The girls took a seat while Kelsey attempted to ask more over how Scarlet knew the gang that was widely known as The Lost Boys, but Scarlet was set on avoiding the topic entirely. Speak of the devil and they'll appear, as they say if you're superstitious…

They applauded with the crowd as the next performer took the stool at the mic with the small band. Next up was a girl who looked about their age. Her dark brown hair was in smooth waves reaching her mid back. She had blue-grey eyes and wore a lavender flowy tank, high waist denim shorts and flat sandals. A scruffy guitar player sat at her side and the keyboarder was set and ready too while she discussed with them her choice of song.

"Alright, everyone. Let's welcome Cassandra. It's her first night here with us in Santa Carla" The guitarist introduced and the patrons gave her a welcoming applause.

"Thank you. So far its been great, it's a really cool place" she smiled "I'm sure you're familiar with this one. I hope you guys like it" The strumming began, and the lyrics indeed sparked recognition with an acoustic performance of 'Edge of Seventeen'. Her voice flowed beautifully to the style of the song. The girls enjoyed the music with their drinks as Molly brought fries out for them.

Scarlet was honestly enjoying herself tonight. She'd shut herself away for so long, it was good to trust herself and have fun again. She didn't have to lock herself away in the alcove. She may not have consented herself to killing this far but she won't be living like a zombie either.

The platter they were sharing was soon wiped clean. Nodding their heads to the music, all of the girls mouthed the words as Cassandra poured herself into a sweet finish for the song. The guitarist doing well to strum the final notes as the song closed. The audience on the patio sounded their applause from all the surrounding tables, with one of those occasional obnoxious whistles mixed in too.

"Thank you" she thanked the audience with a smile as she stepped down. The girls sharing in the applause too.

"Way to go Cassi" Molly called as she passed their table. The two had already been introduced earlier that night. Smiling as she turned their way, Scarlet, Marina and Kelsey added.

"Good Job"

"You have a pretty voice"

"Thanks" she chuckled before recalling her earlier meet "Molly, right?" She confirmed.

"Have you seen my brother? He was supposed to be here" she looked around but Molly shook her head. "I don't think so but try back inside" Just as the suggestion was made, all the girls turned to hear an intake of breath from Scarlet.

Ducking slightly, what startled her was seeing four motorcycles driving across the beach and back up to the boardwalk.

"What are you doing?" Kelsey noted.

"I just need to be heading back to the boardwalk" Scarlet stood from her seat.

"I'll walk with you back" Marina stood as well.

"I just got off. Let me get my stuff and I'll come with" Molly then gave a nod to Cassi, and Kelsey followed too.

"You guys have fun" Cassi smiled to the four before going her own way.

Once they were out of the bar, the girls strode over to the boardwalk.

On the way, Drew and a few of his friends tried once again to make amends but his persistence was aggravating her beyond limits. "Listen, you guys should come with us to a party tonight"

"What is it going to take for you to understand that we're not interested" Scarlet finally burst.

The guys mumbled a few curses before letting them go on their way. It wouldn't be long before the boardwalk closes.

Marina groaned, "I have an early shift in the morning and I can't afford to be hungover" then laughed. She was the first to call it a night. Molly was reluctant to the suggestion and she was the most buzzed.

"I'm okay to drive" Kelsey offered.

"I'll head my way too." Scarlet turned to Marina and they shared a hug "This was really fun, maybe we'll do it again soon" She spoke honestly. Kelsey and Molly were primarily people that Marina knew but she knew for certain that she's finally made her first female friend since turning.

"Yeah, I'll definitely see you around" As they parted ways and headed towards Kelsey's car, Molly was the first to come to a stop. Stopping the other two, she pointed across the crowd that was leaving the boardwalk and saw Scarlet again. This time she was approaching the gang she was always seen with.

Scarlet was feeling irked again. 'Why is this bitch still alive?' She wanted to snap but brushed it off when she crossed her arms and locked eyes with David. The girl he had seen the other day giggled before walking away with her friends, having not noticed Scarlet.

She rolled her eyes when she walked up to the guys. Its almost like he's purposely trying to get her riled up these days. Marko, Paul and Dwayne 'oohed' at seeing her expression. Well it's not gonna work!

David chuckled internally "We're crashing a party. Your new friends care to join?" His grin almost wicked.

Shit…

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"What?" she wasn't sure why they were watching them. It's not like they haven't seen the boys around before.
"What a lucky girl" Molly quipped disbelievingly.

"Marina, is Scarlet seeing any of them? I bet it's the platinum blonde, right?" Kelsey noted.

"I think his names David" Molly added.

"She's said they aren't together" From what she's been told, there might be something there but he isn't her boyfriend.

"Oh, come on. She's always seen riding with him. And his looks ward off anyone who looks her way" hence the complicated-ness.

I gave a laugh "Okay that's Scarlet's, business not ours" The few girls they were spotted with walked away and just as they did, I locked eyes with a familiar set of dark irises. It all happened in a second. My eyes almost widened when they caught his. Feeling a small panic when a smile came to his features, instead of smiling back I quickly looked away this time.

"Let's get going" I quipped, looking anywhere but back at him. I haven't seen him much since that time at the video store but I can tell he recognizes me.

"What's the rush?" Kelsey asked. I could still feel his gaze burning into me. I was almost blushing but I really didn't want to. He had just been talking to a different girl today and it really shouldn't surprise me. The guy probably has tons of girls he's talking to so why bother deluding myself to think I stand out to him?

"Whoa, who's that tall drink of water?" Molly purred. I had to peek up and sure enough, its Dwayne she's talking about. Crap, he's still looking! I turned my face away again.

"Marina, do you know him?" Kelsey was starting to grin.

"No" I really didn't.

"He's looking at you" they almost squealed. Molly looked at my face "Oh my gosh, you do know him"

"No, I really don't" I snapped "I've honestly never exchanged a word with the guy. He just comes into the store sometimes." It's the truth.

"Well do you like him?" Kelsey whispered.

"I don't know him" I emphasized. He may be ridiculously hot but I can't say like for certain.

"You should go talk to him" Kelsey suggested.

"No, I need to get home to sleep" I declared.

"Well then you don't mind if I go over there" Apparently now he was locking eyes with Molly. Suddenly I felt a disturbing tug in my chest.

"For?"

"You know, get to know him better" she winked.

Well it shouldn't bother me. I mean I don't actually know him "Uh no…" It didn't come out as sure as I wanted it too. Molly scurried over to Dwayne and I could feel that sinking feeling getting even deeper.

I had to bear a few minutes of them talking before we saw David and Scarlet speed away followed by the other guys. By the time Molly walked back she was beaming "So Dwayne just invited me to a party." She shrieked "All of us really, but since I told him you guys wanted to call it a night, I'm just meeting him there" I tried smiling for her but in fact I was feeling very irritated. Sure, automatically exclude us…

"How are you getting there?" I asked as we filled into Kelsey's car.

"I'm okay to drive now. As soon as we get dropped off, you can head up and I'll go" My frown deepened.

"Are you going to know anyone else there? Are you okay to drive?" I continued.

"Yeah, of course" she then gave me a calculating look when I refused to meet her eyes. "Oh my gosh, are you jealous?"

"Of course not" I felt my temper somewhat flare.

"Good, because you're the one that didn't want to talk to him."

I rolled my eyes "It's not like that okay, enjoy the party" I kept myself from growling.

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Scarlet knew what crashing a party meant. Luckily she was able to get back to the cave on her own late in the a.m before the guys got back. She was the first to sleep and spent the day with an entirely undisturbed rest. And in that rest, she was able to have a dream of a memory that wasn't too long back. Back from when she'd met David again at 13 years of age. The discussion over his motorcycle had been lingering with her… He'd taught her to drive a motorcycle on their third meet, but on their second meet….

She couldn't believe she was riding his bike again. This time, she was seated behind him. The lights from other cars passed them by. The repeating beams of the street lamps, the sound of the ocean beside them. The wind blowing by their hair. She felt so alive, she felt so free. Trusting herself to unwrap her arms from him, she leaned back further and further with her legs keeping a firm hold onto the seat so she could look up at the night sky. She waved her arms out and felt more of the wind flow through her. It was probably dangerous, especially without a helmet but she wasn't one bit afraid. It was kind of like flying.

"Hang on, kid"

Suddenly, a revving was heard and she felt the back of the bike launch forward. Eyes bursting open, she was hauled up into the air and felt her stomach stopped by David's back. There was no dangerous crash but there was a whole new view.

"Oh my god!" she squealed, bursting with laughter at the amazing sight. David had revved the bike forward and was balancing them on the front wheel as the bike still drove!

"Woooo!" he himself yelled and Scarlet followed suit, throwing her hands in the air. It didn't last too long but it was one of her fondest childhood memories and it sealed how she wouldn't ever forget his face from then on.

Feeling herself slip back out of her dream, she groggily opened her eyes to meet with a hand…

A severed hand…

She shrieked at the unexpected sight. There were laughs echoing around the cave. She was the last to wake up.

Controlling her breathing, she looked up to see more and more pieces further into the cave. The boys, no doubt brought some of the party home with them last night. Did they honestly run out of moonlight or did they just get lazy near the end?!

Following the few limbs to the center. She found a pile of dead bodies with some of the jerks she had met the previous night right in the center. She slowly turned away from it, crossing her arms.

"Sorry about the mess" David appeared, moving towards the wheelchair he likes to sit in. Paul took a drag of a joint while turning up the rock box, and Marko was up high over-looking the cave with the pigeon that flies in was lighting a pit of fire at the center of the fountain.

"Dwayne's taking care of it" David chuckled as Scarlet stared back at him, then to the corpses again.

Who knows who could end up in that pile…

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I promise you we will see more and more of the guys. More and more of David, Dwayne, Paul and Marko as we go ;) We'll see how they met the second time around soon. Then eventually the third time when she found out about vampires. More people to meet along the way. Who will survive? Please Review!